The works of Truman Capote (1924–1984) have been praised for their technical virtuosity and keen observation. Born in New Orleans, Capote often drew on his Southern background for his work. His first novel, Other Voices, Other Rooms, was published in 1948, when Capote was 23 years old. His widely acclaimed In Cold Blood (1966), which Capote called a "non-fiction novel," mixes fact and fiction in its account of the murder of four family members in Holcomb, Kansas; it was made into a film of the same title in 1967 and enjoyed enormous critical and popular success.

The Great Writers series offers an informative and revealing look into the lives and literary output of 20th-century writers, both American and international, whose groundbreaking works made a major impact on both literature and society around the globe. Each DVD presents a biography of the writer's life as well as examining the social and political events that influenced their work. Archival documents, interviews, and insightful commentary help place each writer's literary contributions into historical perspective.